Jazz973 Presents Akiko Tsuruga Quartet at Clement's Place

Hailing from Osaka, Japan, the Hammond organist, Akiko Tsuruga has been a mainstay in the New York jazz scene since 2001. This talented young organist began playing the organ at the age of three and launched her career in jazz immediately after graduating from the Osaka College of Music. While living in Osaka, she had the opportunity to play with numerous world-renowned jazz musicians from the United States, such as Roy Hargrove, Jeff “Tain” Watts, and Grady Tate, to name just a few. Grady Tate, in particular, had the strongest influence on her decision to become a professional musician. Along with her teacher, Dr...

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Hailing from Osaka, Japan, the Hammond organist, Akiko Tsuruga has been a mainstay in the New York jazz scene since 2001. This talented young organist began playing the organ at the age of three and launched her career in jazz immediately after graduating from the Osaka College of Music. While living in Osaka, she had the opportunity to play with numerous world-renowned jazz musicians from the United States, such as Roy Hargrove, Jeff “Tain” Watts, and Grady Tate, to name just a few. Grady Tate, in particular, had the strongest influence on her decision to become a professional musician. Along with her teacher, Dr. Lonnie Smith Akiko considers him to be one of her greatest mentors, and perhaps the musician she admires the most. Grady performed on her Japanese debut album and also convinced her to move to the United States.

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